Tangential Sensor Surface for Bulk Material Flow Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measuring devices for bulk material flow in combine harvesters face inaccuracies due to frictional forces detected during vertical impact on the sensor surface, affecting throughput measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement of a measuring device with a tangential transition from the guide surface to the sensor surface, where the sensor surface is positioned to compensate for frictional forces by orienting them parallel to the load cell's longitudinal axis, ensuring only perpendicular forces are measured, thus maintaining a continuous and uniform crop flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor surface is positioned to receive bulk material flow directly and perpendicularly, then the measurement of centrifugal force can be obtained, but frictional forces are also detected which distort the measurement result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the sensor surface orientation from perpendicular to tangential relative to the bulk material flow path. This parameter change transforms the force detection mechanism: the tangential orientation causes frictional forces to act parallel to the sensor surface rather than perpendicular to it, thereby eliminating their contribution to the measurement signal while maintaining detection of the centrifugal force component perpendicular to the surface.
2Ease of manufacture
If the sensor surface has an outwardly angled leading edge creating a discontinuity, then the structure is defined, but the flow pattern of harvested material is affected which impacts measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the discontinuous angled leading edge with a continuously curved tangential transition surface. This curved geometry smoothly guides the bulk material flow from the guide surface onto the sensor surface without creating abrupt changes in flow direction or velocity. The continuous curvature eliminates flow separation and turbulence that would otherwise occur at sharp edges, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while providing a well-defined manufacturable structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances measurement accuracy by eliminating the detection of frictional forces, resulting in improved reproducibility and precision of throughput determination in bulk material flow.
Implementation Method 1
The measuring device measures the centrifugal force exerted by the harvested material flow
Implementation Method 2
The arrangement of at least the sensor surface is chosen such that it is tangent to the circular path of the crop, thereby compensating for the frictional forces exerted by the mass flow on the sensor surface
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an arrangement of a measuring device (70) for measuring a mass flow consisting of bulk material, in particular grain, in a conveying device (30) having continuously rotating, planar conveying elements (58) and partially surrounded by a housing (54), which conveys the bulk material from a lower bulk material receiving area (40) to a higher bulk material discharge area (42), wherein a substantially circular motion can be imposed on the bulk material discharged by the respective conveying element (58) in a substantially radial direction on an inner surface of a cover section (62) of the housing (54) by a guide surface (66) formed in the head region of the conveying device (30), and the bulk material can thereby be deflected towards a sensor surface (68) of the measuring device (70).wherein at least the sensor surface (68) of the measuring device (70) is arranged in the head region of the conveying device (30) such that a tangential path is established in the transition (78) from the guide surface (66) to the sensor surface (68), so that the sensor surface (68) is tangential to the motion of the mass flow.